Russell Arvid Hughes

Russell Arvid Hughes was born February 15th, 1938, in Ringgold County, Iowa to Russell Sanford Hughes and Lois Allen Hughes. He was entered into rest January 29, 2019 from complications of pneumonia. His beloved wife Julie Ann Fletcher Hughes: born in St. Louis, to Herbert Louis Fletcher and Catherine Albertina Bereuter Fletcher on August 18th, 1944, joined him in his heavenly home on February 13th, 2023 following an extended battle with breast cancer. After graduating from Iowa State University, Russell worked as an architect and mechanical engineer, and served in the Army Reserve. While employed with AAF International in St. Louis, Russ first met Julie, charming her with his keen wit and warm sense of humor, although it was Julie who asked him on their first date. After dating, the lively couple married in St. Charles, MO on June 3rd, 1967. They moved to Omaha, NE and were blessed with two daughters, Sara Elizabeth and Amy Kathleen. In Omaha, Russ worked for Lozier Corporation as the Senior Project Engineer for the company, some of his work can still be seen in national retail chains today. Looking for quieter living, the family eventually settled in Glenwood, Iowa, where Julie enjoyed work as a real estate broker with Banks (and then Johnston) Century 21 Realty. They were members of Grace United Methodist Church in Glenwood, Iowa. Russ continued working with Lozier Corporation until his retirement. In their spare time, Russ worked as a residential architect, and together with Julie, they owned and managed several Breadeaux Pizza restaurants and apartment complexes. Russ loved his garden and Julie was an avid reader. Vivacious and sassy, Julie loved to entertain, and Russ humored her as he did in all things. Having never met a stranger, Julie was always happy to set a long table which was vibrantly decorated and full of flavor as lively as the conversation. Many raucous holiday meals were hosted in their Glenwood home over the years, often with an Italian flair—sometimes subtle, sometimes not. Spaghetti on Christmas, anyone? A full Thanksgiving dinner several times a year was par for the course at the Hughes home. The pair also spent many evenings sharing food with dear friends—so much laughter and plentiful stories shared, memories made, over the years. After retiring from their respective jobs, Russ and Julie hit the road and RV’ed to all but one of the fifty continuous states (and as always, there’s a story to be told here somewhere), settling at last in Salisbury, North Carolina, to be near their girls and share their lives with their beloved grandsons. Those who have gone on to the next party before them include Russ & Julie’s parents and several siblings. Left here to mourn their absence and raise an occasional glass in their honor are daughters Sara Hicks and Amy Foote (Christopher) of Salisbury, NC; grandsons Nicholas and Maxwell Foote; Julie’s brother, Herbert Fletcher, Jr. of St. Louis, MO; many deeply loved nieces and nephews, and a host of friends who are considered family. Memorials can be made to: Glenwood Public Library, 109 N. Vine Street Glenwood, IA 51534

Russell Arvid Hughes

February 15, 1938 - January 29, 2019